Never Leave the Dogs Behind: A Memoir
4.7 | 491 ratings
Price: 22.04
Last update: 02-01-2026
Top reviews from the United States
- Molly McHughAnother great read by the super talented Brianna Madia!The subject matter is definitely tough at times but Brianna doesn't hold back, sharing the highs and lows of her life and experiences as a new land owner out in the desert mountains of Utah (so cool and what so many want to do, wish they could do I think, myself included!) with her furry family members. She also introduces the readers to the psychological struggles she has faced in the past and that continue in her life today, with courageous mentions of mania, medication, and therapy.
All of this 'stuff' is wrapped inside a beautiful, thoughtfully written, and provacative memoir. The reader gets to see, hear, and FEEL what Brianna is living/experiencing and how she copes with life on her own terms, in her own way, and forges her own path through life changes and situations that some may be able to relate to but even if not, get to experience vicariously through her talented storytelling.
A fun sidenote: A couple of years ago now or so, when traveling through the US, living in a little trailer, I watched a video (or maybe it was an article?) about this cool chick who lived in the desert and was fostering a litter of puppies, one who stole her heart and got added to the family pack - lucky little bugger :) I was jealous of what a cool life this gal had!
I had no clue when buying this book and her "Nowhere for Very Long" travel memoir that the author was that gal until reading about sweet Banjo - made learning more about Brianna and her life even more fun :)
And lastly, will mention as I think Brianna and maybe others struggling with extreme mood issues might find my memoir about living with Bipolar 1 Disorder interesting and possibly helpful - Bipolar 1 Disorder How to Survive and Thrive. Most at least think it's a fun read :)
Best to you Brianna and can't wait to read Homesick Nomad! Stay sane, stay crazy.
Hugs, Molly - RexExcellent. Funny, Engaging, Relatable - Awesome BookBriana, Awesome book! I really enjoyed reading this! ….. really well done, engaging, funny, relatable. I bought a copy for a friend as well. Highly recommended. I ordered Briana’s other book as well. If you like this book, Check out “TINA”!
- KelseyPerfection (per usual)I used to wait for Brianna’s Instagram posts because I absolutely loved how she was able to convey her thoughts and turn them into the most beautiful little pieces of writing—and then the Internet turned into the Wild West and well…read both of her books to find out (but also, how about we focus on enriching people’s lives or….here’s a thought: if you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say it at all? And maybe don’t try to absolutely destroy a person and their livelihood? I swear, the internet is cool and all but it has also brought out the absolute worst in so many).
ANYWHO— I absolutely love her writing and much like her first book, I was not able to put Never Leave the Dogs Behind down for a second. I am pretty sure I read the whole thing in one sitting and loved every minute. I can’t remember if Brianna will be working on a third book but I hope so because her writing brings so much joy to my little corner of the world and I am always thrilled to have her books displayed in my bookcase. - downtownMemoirs are a strange genreThis is a beautiful story of a woman learning to survive then thrive after a major life changing event. Worth the read and a struggle we can all relate to and learn from.
- Andrea B MasonLove it!Great read! Inspiring!
- tiffanywhittenAmazingI’m in-love with this author!! Brianna’s books are so easy to read, they flow and the imagery of what she writes just draws you in about her life.
I read her first book “No Where for Very Long”, 2 yrs ago on a trip to, Fl …I read it in 4 days on the beach. I could not wait for her second book “Never Leave the Dogs Behind” I’m 38 pages in and loving it.
I really hope she continues to write for the rest of her life…the female spirit needs an author like her. She definitely brings women together and creates a sisterhood and I don’t think she realizes that. Thank you Brianna, Dags, Bucket, Birdie and Banjo!!! ???????????? - mary in new york cityA cool story of dog love, even in difficult circumstancesI enjoyed it, even more as it went on, her day trips with the dogs very interesting. The mutual trust of a caring person and her dogs warms the heart.
- Will FarthingAwesomeBri’s book is an awesome telling of her life in the desert with her dogs. Honest.Wish her well. She’s a Tough lady!